The University of Kansas Medical Center recently reported that regular yoga classes appeared to decrease occurrences of a common heart condition known as atrial fibrillation in patients, as well as decreasing stress and improving their overall well-being. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition in which the heart's upper chambers quiver chaotically instead of contracting normally. The attacks are painful and often prevent the patients from enjoying regular activities. People with AF are often prescribed drugs such as beta blockers to help control their heart rate and rhythm, but the medicines don't alleviate symptoms for all patients. The American Heart Association estimates that about 2.7 million people in the U.S. have the heart condition. The new study included 49 people who'd had atrial fibrillation for an average of five years. Researchers began by tracking study volunteers' heart symptoms, blood pressure and heart rate, as well as their anxiety, depression and general quality of life. The participants then went to group yoga classes at least twice a week for three months, again reporting on their symptoms and quality of life. All of the patients were on stable medications throughout the study period. The patients reported a 50 percent drop of AF occurrences, which was also confirmed by heart monitors. Anxiety scores declined from an average of 34, on a scale of 20 to 80, to 25 after three months of yoga. Reported depression and general mental health improved as well. The researchers pointed out that the classes may make their arrhythmia "more tolerable" and reduce visits to the emergency room when symptoms flare up. However, the classes were not suggested as an alternative to regular medical care.

A new comparison study finds members of the Baby Boomer generation are getting less exercise and feeling worse than their parents did when at the same age. Baby boomers are generally defined as the generation born in the two decades after World War Two. Demographically, they are the largest portion of the American public by age group. In a national survey, approximately 13 percent of baby boomers reported being in "excellent" health in middle age, compared to 32 percent of the previous generation who said the same at the same stage of life. The study, conducted at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, used data from a continuing national health survey to compare the answers of people who were 46 to 64 years old between 1988 and 1994, and the baby boomers who were in the same age range between 2007 and 2010. The researchers noted a 10 percent increase in obesity between the generations and a four percent increase in diabetes. The baby boomers were also more likely to have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. More surprisingly, the researchers noted that twice as many boomers needed a cane or walker to remain mobile, compared to the previous generation. A bright spot for the baby boomers was their decrease in smoking, which led to a decline in emphysema and other smoking-related illnesses. However, the researchers were quick to point out that the majority of baby boomers needed to exercise more and eat healthier to avoid further health complications.

A new study, recently published in the medical journal Spine, found that patients who seek chiropractic care for back pain are far less likely to undergo lumbar surgery than those who consult a surgeon. The study found that approximately 43 percent of patients who saw a surgeon first when seeking treatment for back pain ended up having surgery, as opposed to 1.5 percent of patients who first saw a chiropractor. These findings support the long held position that many health care providers subscribe to that attempting to treat back pain should start with conservative approaches, such as chiropractic care. The study pointed out that the treatments were often more beneficial to patients and far more cost-effective. As musculoskeletal conditions and low-back pain have been identified as the second leading cause of disability worldwide, it has become a top priority to health care experts to create effective and affordable strategies to deal with the rising burden of non-fatal disabilities. "As governments and health systems around the globe search for answers to complicated health challenges such as rising numbers of chronically ill and disabled patients and runaway costs, research is finally demonstrating what the chiropractic profession has promoted for years: that caring for patients with conservative treatments first, before moving on to less conservative options or unnecessary drugs and surgery, is a sensible and cost-effective strategy," said American Chiropractic Association President Keith Overland, DC.

As the generation known as the 'Baby Boomers' ages, it comes as no surprise that their back pain is increasing. What is surprising is the increased cost of treating that pain. A wide-scope study, recently published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, determined that the occurrence of back pain in patients aged 45 - 60 increased by 29 percent. Patients whose back pain was described as chronic increased by 64 percent. This increase in back pain in both patient groups was attributed to simple aging. However, the inflation-adjusted costs to treat these patients soared 129 percent, from $15.6 billion in 2000 to 2001 to $35.7 billion in 2006 to 2007. The researchers concluded that the rising trends in back pain and treatment cost will only continue or accelerate under existing treatment patterns. Suggested improvements included prioritizing health policy, clinical practice, and research efforts to improve care outcomes, cost-effectiveness and health workforce planning. Fortunately, chiropractic care has been shown to be a cost effective option when treating back pain. If you are suffering from back pain or another musculoskeletal ailment, call your local chiropractor today. Setting up a no-obligation consultation is usually quick, easy and is often provided at little to no cost.